Kerbal Space Agency - Advancing technology today, for a better tomorrow.

[Nefaro]

Wow...this thread has opened my eyes to this game. Originally when I saw it on Steam some time ago it looked like a silly, dumb sim. Glad I read through this, I might pick it up now!

It's an excellent sim.  I'm saying that without having even played all the new stuff in the last couple big patches!

[Pinetree]

I LOL'd at this from the changelog:

- Kerbals other than you will now pick themselves up from ragdoll state if they are involved in any 'accidents' or are flat out being used as Kerbowling pins.

and here it is complete:

==================================== v0.23.0 =========================================================

New:

* The Science Archives:
- Browse through all the science you've done in your Career games in this new section of the R&D Facility.

* Tweakables:
- Several parts can now be tweaked individually by right-clicking them during construction.
- Landing Gear can be set to start out deployed or retracted, and can also be made steerable.
- Engines can have a thrust limiter set on them, so you can balance out asymmetrical thruster configurations (or use differential thrust for taxiing).
- Wheels can be tweaked to have their engines toggled, steering locked, all before launch (and after, of course).
- Control Surfaces can be tweaked to toggle response to pitch, roll and yaw input individually.

* Science Revisited:
- Transmitting scientific data no longer allows you to max out the value of a subject just by repeating the transmission multiple time.
- Removing the experiment data from some experiment modules (for transmission or by EVA) will render them inoperable.
- Resetting an experiment can still be done freely as long as the data is not removed from the module.

* Solar System:
- Added a new Biome Map for Minmus.
- Cleaned up the Biome Maps for Kerbin and the Mun, to remove areas where Biomes would be detected incorrectly.

* The Lab Module:
- Added a new part called a Laboratory Module, which allows experiment data and samples to be processed before transmission, increasing their science value.
- The Lab Module requires 2 crews inside to operate and a whole lot of power as well.
- Added a new button to the experiment review dialog to process collected data on the Lab if one is available (and operational) on your vessel.

* EVA Data Transport:
- Kerbals on EVA can now collect the data from experiment modules and store them on crew-carrying modules.
- Kerbals can also collect data from other data container modules, including other Kerbals.
- EVAs can also store samples collected from other experiments on the Lab.

* Part Tooltips Overhaul:
- The tooltips that pop up when mousing over a part on the editors have been completely redesigned.
- The tooltips show essential info only at first, but can be expanded to show more info with RMB.
- Once expanded, you can right-click again to collapse, or to pin other tooltips if you hover over other parts.
- Re-organized the part information to group stats for each module and resource container on a part.
- Added a larger icon for the part on the tooltip itself, featuring a scale to give an idea of size before picking.

* All-around Optimizations:
- We've gone over all our code to make sure it runs as efficiently as possible.
- Upgraded to Unity version 4.2.2 to make full use of its own bugfixes and tweaks.
- Texture loading has been sped up, loading times are noticeably reduced.

* [Windows-Only] 6-DOF Device Support:
- 6-DOF input devices such as the Space Navigator are now supported both as camera and flight controllers.
- Scroll Lock will toggle the device mode in flight.
- Due to driver limitations this is a Windows-only feature for now. We're ready to implement support in OSX and Linux as soon as those drivers become available.


Bug Fixes and Tweaks:

* Parts:
- The logic for all-vessel resource flow (such as Electric Charge and MonoPropellant) has been re-done.
- Fixed those resource containers not being able to drain fully or store an amount larger than their current available space.

* Docking:
- Fixed an issue that caused docking ports to resume their states incorrectly after docking, making it impossible to undock afterwards.
- Fixed a big issue with docking operations through physicsless parts in the hierarchy between the port and the original vessel root.

* EVAs:
- EVAs now use actual resources for their jetpack propellant, instead of their own fuel system.
- Fixed an issue with collision resolution that caused EVAs to sometimes fall over and become uncontrollable.
- Kerbals other than you will now pick themselves up from ragdoll state if they are involved in any 'accidents' or are flat out being used as Kerbowling pins.
- Parts that land onto splashed-down parts are now considered to be landed. This allows EVAs to walk on floating platforms.

* Other Fixes:
- The Return key will no longer reset the staging sequence in the Editors, or return you to the Main Menu at KSC.
- The Main Menu now remembers the 'page' you were at when you left it, so if you return from a loaded game, you'll find it still at the "Start Game" screen.
- Fixed several issues with joystick axis mapping and indexing.
- Updated the Input settings screen to expose a few new control options that weren't accessible before.
- Fixed an issue that could lead to loss of GUI responsiveness after leaving flight during reentry or supersonic flight.

[Nefaro]

Interesting...

so they added TrackIR support.  Dunno if I'd need to use it in KSP but it's nice having the option I suppose.

[BanzaiCat]

So...okay, these Kerbals are basically like intelligent hamsters that you're kind of seriously trying to put into space, but don't have a problem laughing silly about finding a hundred thousand ways for them to die while trying?

[Jarhead0331]

So...okay, these Kerbals are basically like intelligent hamsters that you're kind of seriously trying to put into space, but don't have a problem laughing silly about finding a hundred thousand ways for them to die while trying?

How offensive! Some of the bravest, most courageous, most honorable men I have ever known, have been Kerbals.

[steve58]

...brave-ish? and even lovable, but probably less intelligent than a hamster ;D

Other than minor look differences and names, the other two characteristics that come into play when you select a Kerbal from a pool of applicants is Courage and Stupidity.  I think training for the Kerbals will come eventually.

[Grim.Reaper]

I vow to actually buy this game during the holiday sale:)

[steve58]

Banzai_Cat -- if you haven't already, you may also want to check out all the mods that are available for KSP.  If nothing else, KSP is a fun sandbox...and you cats seem to like those  ;D

[Nefaro]

If nothing else, KSP is a fun sandbox...and you cats seem to like those  ;D

Nef says, "Get It Right Meow!"

[BanzaiCat]

I'm too lazy to read a review of it, but if you guys recommend it and it's twisted, I'm putting it on my short list for next week.

[steve58]

...for all you Gundam fans.

[steve58]

The Kerbal Space Program: Asteroid Redirect Mission (aka v0.23.5) (developed in collaboration with NASA) is now live!

[steve58]

Someone has made Gus a Steampunk mod for Kerbal.  Very cool...

[Silent Disapproval Robot]

I still can't get my god damned joystick to work with this game! 

[Jarhead0331]

After years of trial and error, the Kerbal Space Agency has succeeded in landing a kerbaled vehicle on the surface of the Mun...in one piece...

Tragically, due to a slight engineering oversight, Kerbal designers mistakenly omitted oxygen from the vehicle's payload.  This had the unanticipated consequence of rendering the crew members of the Kerbal X into a permanently comatose state. Although their present condition is difficult to diagnose across the vast expanse from Kerbin to the Mun, our most experienced medical experts theorize the symptoms exhibited by the permanent comatose state of each crew member bears an uncanny resemblance to death.

A rescue mission is in the works and will be underway just as soon as the next batch of astronauts sign the necessary waivers and releases.

In the meantime, orbiting satellites have captured the following heroic images of the ghost vessel.

Oxygen Count? 0.0000.


Safely on the darkside of the mun.


To boldly go where no living Kerbal has gone before.


The bodies of the brave crew shall be recovered. Here, this lander shall stay, an everlasting monument to the glory and bravery of the Kerbal Space Program.